Member Article

Persimmon Homes supports local music and children

The Downton Band and Southampton Hub have each received £1,000 as part of Persimmon Homes South Coast Community Champions scheme.

The year-long initiative aims to support local groups and charities with a pot of £24,000 of match-funding available. Organisations can apply via www.persimmonhomes.com/charity

Downton Band is a traditional brass band, established in 1873, that brings together people from the Wiltshire village’s local community and surrounding area.

Charity spokesman Paul Williams said: “We run two ensembles of 40 people, and would like to start encouraging more young people to take up music.

“We plan to offer accessible, affordable, high quality tuition. There is a growing interest in the group, but we are running low on instruments, so this generous donation from Persimmon will enable us to buy six more cornets and keep expanding.”

Southampton Hub’s Branch Up project aims to take children, who might not otherwise have the opportunity to, out for fun, educational activity days with positive and motivated students with whom they can build positive bonds; enabling each child to reach their full potential.

Catherine Mitchell, Southampton Hub manager, said: “With the help of committed student volunteers, we work to increase the confidence, social skills and future aspirations of the children taking part. Following a successful year, we aim to raise funds to expand the Branch Up programme, involving more children and volunteers; this grant from Persimmon will greatly help us to do so.”

Persimmon Homes South Coast sales director, Mark Docherty said: “We are delighted to be helping two great causes. Small, local-based charities like these are the reason why we started the community champions scheme, so it’s great to support these organisations.”

Community Champions is a national programme, donating £750,000 across the country to charities and groups that apply for match-funding up to £1,000.

Persimmon Homes South Coast has developments in Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire.

To find out more visit www.persimmonhomes.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Joe Finnan .